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Selenium for Breast Cancer Prevention
 By Dr. Narinder Saini
M.D.
Women who are genetically predisposed to breast cancer may benefit
from selenium, a trace element found in foods such as certain nuts, liver and
kidneys, according to a study. Previous animal studies have found that tiny amounts
of selenium in the diet can suppress cancer in several organs, and data from human
studies is just emerging that selenium may help to prevent breast cancer.
Researchers
compared the same genes from 517 cancer-free individuals with the genes contained
in 79 breast cancer tissue samples. It was found that the frequency of different
versions of the gene was different in people without cancer and in tumors. This
suggests that a person with a certain version of a gene may require more selenium
in the diet to get cancer-suppressing benefits. However, more research is needed
before a baseline amount of dietary selenium can be recommended.
Indeed,
it does appear to be an exciting concept and selenium supplements appear to be
a good idea for many. Ideally, it should be obtained from your diet but unless
you are eating organic vegetables it is unlikely that you are getting enough from
commercially raised vegetables.
If you aren't consuming organic vegetables
you might want to consume 100 mcg of selenium a day. It is important to remember
that when you take too much selenium it can have a reverse effect and actually
cause disease. So, don't do the typical American approach and conclude that if
a little is good, even more is better. So remember do not take too much of Selenium,
you could take up to 200 mcg of Selenium everyday. | | |
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